Manchester City has been through a mixed performance after failing to win against Nottingham Forest despite having 23 shots in front of the goal but returning of Phil Foden into action has certainly eased a little bit of pressure.
Phil Foden is a boyhood Manchester City admirer come player after graduating from the City football academy and establishing his place on the team as the most promising youngster.
Here's a photo of a young Phil Foden battling it out with a young Reece James on the academy pitch in 2014 💙 pic.twitter.com/67dC2nTPJZ
— City Chief (@City_Chief) January 5, 2022
However, this season is not going according to plan in terms of Foden as lack of game time didn’t help his course at all after a brilliant start to the season.
Foden last started against Manchester United during the derby loss and was left out since then by Pep Guardiola with a dip in terms of performance.
But the ‘Stockport Iniesta’ has shined on his return after a long period and controlled brilliantly on the right side of man City’s wing but unfortunately missed a sitter which proved costly.
Phil Foden is magic 😎 pic.twitter.com/zjxCBmFzvJ
— City Chief (@City_Chief) November 18, 2020
Reflecting on the 22-year-old’s return to the team post-match, Guardiola said: “Yes. He played really well. In the first half he was aggressive against (Renan) Lodi, arrived many times at the by-line.”
“Still, he doesn’t have this ‘pausa composure’ that he had, because it’s normal as maybe he didn’t play much now. He’s going to take it back, he was so aggressive, and he played really, really well. Trust me! He was so good.”- Guardiola further added.
Spending such a long period on the bench would definitely frustrate Foden as he was among the first names on the team sheet prior to his benching and when asked about the sentiment of the young sensation, Guardiola told reports,
“I didn’t ask him. I don’t know. He has to compete with Riyad (Mahrez) who’s playing really well, and the other players. It’s a competition for them. What I have to say is not be frustrated, it’s performed as best as possible. Yes, as best as possible. After that, it will be easy.”
Guardiola: “Phil Foden has to compete with Mahrez who’s playing really well, and other players. It’s a competition”. 🔵🏴 #MCFC
“What I have to say is not be frustrated, it’s perform as best as possible. After that, it will be easy”, Guardiola says via @BeanymanSports. pic.twitter.com/yA3MdtIYBg
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 19, 2023
Man City’s next assignment will be against RB Leipzig on a high-octane UEFA Champions League round of sixteen clashes as Phil Foden will look to capitalize on the platform to impress the Spanish-born manager even further.
